Roslovic Joins Oilers As Edmonton Shakes Up Lineup

Jack Roslovic’s arrival in Edmonton this week has injected a new wave of optimism—and a dash of pressure—into an Oilers squad already brimming with Stanley Cup ambitions. After months of uncertainty, the 28-year-old forward finally inked a one-year, $1.5 million deal, stepping onto the ice at Rogers Place for his first practice on Friday, October 10, 2025. For Roslovic, this isn’t just another stop in his NHL journey; it’s a golden opportunity to reignite his career and chase the game’s ultimate prize alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“That’s going to be the theme here, is opportunity: an opportunity to win, an opportunity to play with great players,” Roslovic told NHL.com, his eyes set on what’s possible with a team that’s reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals. “They’ve been to the Conference Final the last two years… and I want to win too.”

Roslovic’s path to Edmonton was anything but rushed. After wrapping up last season with the Carolina Hurricanes—where he tallied 39 points in 81 games, including an impressive 22 even-strength goals—he opted for patience over panic, training privately in Columbus and waiting for the right fit to come along. The Oilers, it turns out, had their eye on him from the get-go.

General manager Stan Bowman didn’t mince words about the team’s long-term vision. “He’s the type of player we were talking about adding around the Trade Deadline—fast, skilled, and available at a good value,” Bowman explained. “We think he could be a really nice piece right now.”

With 526 career NHL games under his belt and a total of 260 points (102 goals, 158 assists), Roslovic brings not only experience but also versatility and offensive punch to Edmonton’s middle six. He’s expected to debut for the Oilers next week on the road against the New York Rangers, giving him a few more days to acclimate to the team’s system and culture.

“The ability to come here and have a good chance to put our names on a trophy is huge,” Roslovic added. “It’s a good opportunity, and something I’m looking forward to.”

While Roslovic’s addition has dominated headlines, the Oilers are also making waves with a key change in goal. After a tough shootout loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday, in which Stuart Skinner faced criticism for a crucial misplay, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that backup Jack Pickard would get the start against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Oilers+ host Tony Brar even captured Pickard in the starter’s net during the morning skate, signaling the team’s intent to shake things up early in the season.

Pickard, who compiled a 22-10-1 record with a 2.71 GAA and .900 save percentage over 36 games as the Oilers’ backup last season, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. He became something of a playoff folk hero after stepping in for Skinner, leading Edmonton to a dramatic four-game comeback against the Los Angeles Kings and winning six straight postseason contests. Although the Oilers ultimately fell to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year, Pickard’s reliability has earned him another shot—at least for now—as Edmonton continues to evaluate its options in net.

“Pickard’s performance last spring gave us a lot of confidence in our depth at goaltender,” Knoblauch said in his pregame remarks. The Oilers’ front office, meanwhile, is keeping a close eye on the goalie market, aware that the margin for error in their Stanley Cup window is razor-thin.

Saturday’s matchup against the Canucks at Rogers Place is more than just another early-season tilt. According to advanced prediction models from Dimers, the Oilers entered the contest as 60% favorites to win, with Leon Draisaitl projected to have a 13.5% chance of scoring the first goal and a 53.1% chance of lighting the lamp at any point in the game. Connor McDavid, never far from the spotlight, was given an 8.4% chance to open the scoring and a 43.5% anytime goal probability. The Canucks, meanwhile, were predicted to cover the puck line (+1.5) 61% of the time, with the over/under for total goals set at a tantalizing 6 and a near coin-flip on whether it would go over or under.

It’s no secret that the Oilers’ window to win is wide open—but not forever. With three more seasons remaining on McDavid’s contract, Edmonton’s front office is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to assemble a championship-caliber roster. That urgency has fueled speculation around potential trade targets, with the Oilers reportedly interested in acquiring Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres. As Jeff Marek noted on Sekeres and Price, “there’s a lot of talk about Tuch around the Oilers.” If the Sabres continue to struggle and remain outside playoff contention, players like Tuch could become available, though Buffalo would likely demand young assets such as Matt Savoie or Isaac Howard in return.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the rumor mill is churning with news of Tomas Hertl’s trade request from the San Jose Sharks. After enduring three major lower-body injuries, Hertl reportedly told Sharks management he needed to be moved before another setback ended his career, ultimately joining the Vegas Golden Knights in a deadline deal. The Florida Panthers, meanwhile, are dealing with the absence of Aleksander Barkov and have been linked to a possible pursuit of Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, who is off to a red-hot start with five primary points in his first six periods of the season. While Barkov isn’t considered out for the year, the Panthers’ situation remains fluid, with Malkin’s future also the subject of league-wide intrigue.

Back in Edmonton, the Oilers’ faithful are buzzing with anticipation. The combination of Roslovic’s fresh start, Pickard’s steady hand in goal, and the ever-present firepower of McDavid and Draisaitl has set the stage for a season brimming with promise—and pressure. The team’s resilience, both on and off the ice, will be tested early and often, especially as management weighs potential roster moves to keep the Stanley Cup dream alive.

As the Oilers and Canucks face off at Rogers Place, all eyes are on Edmonton’s new additions and old reliables alike. Will Roslovic seize his moment? Can Pickard deliver in a pinch? And, perhaps most importantly, will this be the year the Oilers finally break through?

For now, the action is ongoing, the stakes are sky-high, and Oil Country is watching every moment with bated breath. The journey toward the Cup is just beginning, and with so much talent—and so many storylines—unfolding, anything feels possible in Edmonton this season.